Thank you ^^

He really is graceful and peaceful underwater, isn't he?

He'd never admit it, but yes. ^^

*Sends a sonic wave his way* Hiya, Mangiafuoco!

Mangiafuoco: *eyes flying open and air escaping from his mouth in surprise before his face sinks into its usual glower* What are you doing here?

Well, I'm not exactly "here" perse. Sonic communication and all that. I just wanted to say hello is all, and wish you well. Sorry for disturbing you.

Mangiafuoco: *expression softening only by a hair* No harm done. Hello to you.

You know, I find the coral closer to the seabed to be a better place to go, if you're feeling pensive. You have a veritable forest of color and life to pass through there.

Mangiafuoco: It's beautiful, yes, at a distance. *a muscle in his jaw twitches* So long as you cannot hear what the coral are saying, anyway. I have never met such a tightly wound group of worrywarts anywhere else. Besides, I am meeting someone here.

You can hear the coral speak? I didn't even realize that was possible.

Mangiafuoco: *taps his forehead* You pick up a lot of things with a head like this.

And you doubtless learn a lot, too. I'm sure you've gained quite the education in your free time over the centuries.

Mangiafuoco: *grumbling* More than I ever cared to know. *his eyes focus on something murky in the distance* That would be who I'm waiting for. *vaguely threateningly* This has been nice, but I'm sure you're busy.

Well, if you'd like me to go, I can. Though I am curious what manner of fae or creature you're visiting in the depths.

Mangiafuoco: *the murky figure clarifying as it draws closer* I suppose it is too late to hide it. I am not visiting a fae. *a scarred young looking sperm whale approaches and makes a seemingly friendly set of clicks and moans. Mangiafuoco responds, dark skin flushing and determinedly not looking in the direction of Omni's projection*

*Smiles* I always love the sound of whale song. You know, in one world, they're part of a lost tribe of shamans, capable of harnessing an ancient power to protect the earth from collision with a comet that would pass every five thousand years. In order to divert the comet, the whales would use their song to harness that power and focus it to divert the comet. They really are remarkable.

Mangiafuoco: *trying to hide his interest* That so? *the other whale bellows a question and Mangiafuoco interprets. The whale turns to give its attention to the projection in a polite attempt to learn more*

I don't know if there's more to tell, really. I was only allowed a brief and hurried glimpse of the city where the ceremony took place. The power was unleashed to save that world, but at the cost of the city's destruction after millennia of neglect and the advance of ice caps freezing it over.

Truthfully, I think any creature has power in them. It's simply a matter of harnessing that power and finding where it is best used. Some only have sparks. Others channel vast wells of it. As for how that power is used, as always, it is up to the individual that wields it.

Unknown whale: *clicks appreciatively once the sentiment is interpreted and nudges Mangiafuoco*

Mangiafuoco: For the last time, this isn't a power! I don't control it. It just happened to me. *grumbles, realizing he did not speak in whale, and translates before turning to Omni's projection* He thinks the curse is proof that I am some kind of mystical whale guardian.

Who knows. Perhaps all your time around magic will grant you some latent abilities in due course. Or it may be that you are simply yourself. But even that may be enough. It certainly is for this little one.

Unknown Whale: *watches Mangiafuoco expectantly for a translation, but is waved off*

Mangiafuoco: My magic was only ever an illusion. Now that I've met real magic, I want none of it.

Unknown Whale: *gives a questioning moan*

Mangiafuoco: *responds and translates with a sigh* He wants to know if you are an ocean spirit.

I'm afraid not. I'm ... how to describe it. I suppose you could say that I'm an observer of sorts. From time to time, I'm allowed to interact with certain individuals in different worlds, different seas, in your terms. I see the events that unfold, but I can never really make much of a difference in the real outcomes of events, at least not normally. Usually what I do to change things happens in what you could term a ... place between places, where people like me have the power to do all kinds of things. Another entity like me, who is more attuned to this world, is a friend of mine named Dearshul. It's thanks to her that I've been able to get to know this world and your friend there.

Mangiafuoco: *translates, but gives an abridged version, purposefully excluding the mention of Dearshul* Maybe you can be the new magic he clings to. I'm here to say goodbye. The less he knows of me and, more importantly, the less my mistress knows of him, the better. *sneezes, creating a spray of bubbles, and sets his jaw to avoid giving away any further emotion*

*shakes my head* I'm not really here, remember? And unless there's an incredibly potent magic capable of breaching the divide between worlds and hauling me through, I doubt I ever will be for real. Plus, if it did, I doubt I would have any real power. I'd just be another regular mortal, unless authors from my world somehow are granted power to equal that which they hold when they write of other worlds.

interesting

^w^ That sums him up, to be sure!